Chapter Nineteen
Excerpts from letters between Lord Christopher and Miss Sophia Jacobs
Dear Sophia
I hope you enjoyed the exhibition yesterday.
I know we agreed that we would use the Johnston Ball as our next meeting, but I am afraid that I shall not be able to attend after all.
I am sorry to disappoint you in this matter.
Perhaps we could arrange a different excursion to replace it or continue with the next item on our list instead.
The book I have enclosed with this letter is by an artist Freddie greatly admires.
He says this may give you some guidance.
I hope I have not overstepped the mark with this gift; not knowing how proficient you are with your drawing, this may be too basic for you.
If that is the case, feel free to use it as a doorstop, or anything else that may suit your needs.
Yours, Christopher
Dear Christopher
You must not worry that I should be disappointed in missing the ball.
I sometimes feel that there are too many in one Season and like to take a break from them now and then.
Besides, Marrisa has come down with a head cold and is in a dreadful temper.
I have offered to stay at home and keep her company so that she does not succumb to a fit of the dismals.
Thank you for the wonderful book. I have already studied it intently and plan to put some of its instructions to use shortly.
In return for your generosity, I have enclosed with this letter a gift for Lotte.
I found this blue bear and thought it perfectly matched your splendid lounge.
I should be delighted if you could pass it on to her with my warm affection.
Yours, Sophia
Dear Sophia
Thank you for your gift for my niece. Lotte positively adores her new bear and takes it with her everywhere.
Freddie told me that the enclosed pencils are superb for drawing. I took the liberty of procuring some for you. I hope that you enjoy them.
Today I spent a large portion of my time trying to get Lotte to call me by my proper name, but she insists on Kissyfur (do you think this is the appropriate spelling?).
I am in utter despair as I am afraid it might stick as my name within the household for evermore.
I should not have made such fun of my brother Edward, when she started to call him Teddy.
It will come back to haunt me in ways I do not want to imagine.
Have things progressed with Mr Harber?
Yours, Christopher
Dear Christopher
The pencils are a delight to use; thank you for the kind gift. I hope the enclosed drawing does not offend. It is how I imagine a Kissyfur to look: part bear, part human.
Mr Harber has called twice since our visit to the Albizzi exhibition, but he has made no reference to you and me ending our betrothal, or made any mention of you at all.
He was, however, delighted with making Lady Blackmore’s acquaintance.
She is a person whose intelligence he admires greatly, and I think he is hoping that I might set up another outing where he can talk with her some more, although he would never be so crass as to mention it directly.
Are you still planning to attend the Albrighton ball on Friday? I believe it is one of our agreed-upon engagements.
Yours, Sophia
Dear Sophia
You greatly understated your artistic talents. The bear-man is outstandingly realistic. Please put me out of my misery, however, and confirm that this is not how you see me. It has been a crushing blow to my confidence to think you might view my teeth in such a way.
May I trouble you for another one? Lotte would love a copy and, despite the suggestion that I am the ugliest man alive, I find myself reluctant to give her mine.
I remembered how much you enjoyed the box in the Blue Lounge, so please find enclosed something along similar lines. Although there are no small figures in the centre, I believe the beauty of the carving more than makes up for it.
I am looking forward to Friday’s soiree. I shall come and collect you an hour before it begins. This should give me time to listen to any of Miss Annie’s poetry and make suitably impressed noises before we leave.
As for Mr Harber, he is correct in his opinion of Lady Blackmore, but he is still a fool where you are concerned. Do not worry, we shall make him come about.
Yours, Christopher